Thioether substituted imidazoquinolines

Abstract

Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain thioether functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.

1. A method of inducing cytokine biosynthesis in an animal comprising administering a compound selected from the group consisting of
 2-ethyl-1-[2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine; 
 2-butyl-1-[2-(propylsulfonyl)ethyl]-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline-4-amine; 
 2-butyl-1-[2-(ethylsulfonyl)ethyl]-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline-4-amine; and 
 2-methyl-1-[5-(methylsulfonyl)pentyl]-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine; 
 
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the animal in an amount effective for cytokine induction wherein the cytokine is IFN-α and/or TNF-α.